Andree Clark Bird Refuge facts for kids

Andrée Clark Bird Refuge is a special place for wildlife in Santa Barbara County, California. It's a large wildlife refuge that covers about 42 acres (170,000 square meters). Imagine a big marsh with both salty and fresh water!

The refuge has a 29-acre (120,000 square meter) lake. This lake is a mix of fresh and slightly salty water, like where a river meets the ocean. It flows out to the Pacific Ocean at East Beach.

The refuge is named after Louise Amelia Andrée Clark. She was the older sister of Huguette Clark, a very private heiress. Huguette owned a large property called Bellosguardo, which was right across the street from the refuge. In 1928, Huguette donated money to create this refuge to honor her sister, Andrée, who had passed away in 1919, just before her 17th birthday.

Where is the Bird Refuge?

The Andrée Clark Bird Refuge is located right next to the Santa Barbara Zoo. It's also bordered by Highway 101 and East Cabrillo Boulevard.

You can explore the refuge on a bike path that goes around the lake. This path connects to another one along the beach, leading to Shoreline Park. There are also walking paths along the northern side of the lake. Plus, you'll find three special viewing spots where you can watch birds and other animals up close!

Amazing Wildlife at the Refuge

More than 200 different kinds of birds have been seen at the Andrée Clark Bird Refuge! Some birds live there all the time, while others are just passing through during their long migratory journeys.

Some of the special animals that live here include:

• The Tidewater goby, a tiny fish.
• The Western pond turtle, a type of freshwater turtle.
• Several bird species that are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, which helps keep them safe.

You'll often see common birds like ruddy ducks, American coots, mallards, and different kinds of California gulls. Keep an eye out for red-winged blackbirds and black-crowned night herons too!

A Look Back: History of the Refuge

Long ago, water from Sycamore Creek used to flow into this area. But in the 1880s, a railroad was built, which blocked the water flow. Before that, in the 1870s and early 1880s, a place called Bradley's Race Track was around the lake.

In the 1920s, the city of Santa Barbara decided to restore the area. Their goal was to create a safe place for wild birds, both those that live there permanently and those that are just migrating through.

In 1928, Huguette Clark, whose father was the wealthy "Copper King" William A. Clark, gave $50,000 to Santa Barbara. This money was used to dig out the pond and create the artificial freshwater lake we see today. Huguette asked that the place be named Andrée Clark Bird Refuge, in memory of her sister. The Clark family had also donated land in New York for the first Girl Scout camp in the United States, called Camp Andree Clark, also in her sister's honor.

Huguette Clark gave more money in 1930 to finish the plans for the refuge, which were designed by a famous local landscape artist named Ralph Stevens. Later, in 1989, when the lake had a lot of algae, Huguette Clark donated another $30,000 for cleanup and educational programs.

The Andrée Clark Bird Refuge is a very important historical site. It's part of the East Cabrillo Boulevard Parkway Historic District.

Images for kids

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  A Snowy Egret in Andree Clark Bird Refuge